10 Body Safety Books Every Protective Parent Should Own

Because one conversation won’t cut it, but the right stories can change everything.

Why Books Are Your Secret Weapon in Body Safety Education

Here’s the thing: kids don’t learn the most important stuff in one big sit-down talk. They learn through repetition. Through play. Through stories. Through the tone of your voice and the way you show up when it matters.

That’s why books are one of the most powerful tools you can use when it comes to body safety education.

They help take the pressure off.
They open the door to tricky conversations.
They give your child language, context, and confidence.

As a former child abuse detective and a mum who’s walked the tightrope of wanting to protect without overloading. I’ve seen the impact that well-chosen books can have. They spark conversations that keep kids safe. They make body safety normal, not taboo.

And they remind our kids that they are allowed to have boundaries, and we will back them.

If you’re ready to make body safety a part of everyday life, these books are a bloody good place to start.

The 10 Body Safety Books Every Protective Parent Should Own

1. My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders
   Empowers kids to say no, understand consent, and reinforces that their body is their own.

2. Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders
   A bold but beautiful story that teaches kids the difference between safe and unsafe secrets. A must-have.

3. Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect by Jayneen Sanders
   This one dives deeper into everyday boundaries, great for helping kids navigate friendships, school, and group settings.

4. No Means No! by Jayneen Sanders
   Short, punchy, and perfect for little ones. Normalises the idea that “no” is a complete sentence and should be respected.

5. Secret or Surprise by Three Brave Hearts (Deb, Jess & Kayla)
   My personal top pick for this topic. Gentle, inclusive and Aussie as they come, this book helps kids clearly understand the difference between fun surprises and unsafe secrets. It’s gold.

6. My Underpants Rule by Kate & Rod Power
   Bright, cheeky, and incredibly effective. This one teaches the concept of private parts with rhyme and humour, kids love it, and it sticks.

7. Only for Me by Michelle Derrig
   A gentle rhyming book that empowers children to understand their body’s privacy and the importance of speaking up.

8. Someone Should Have Told Me by Holly-ann Martin
   This one’s for you, parents. Holly-ann speaks the truth about how to talk to your kids about inappropriate content, sexting, and unsafe online behaviour. If you’ve felt unsure, start here.

9. My Body is Mine, My Body, My Choice, My Body is Safe by Crystal Hardstaff (The Gentle Counsellor)
   A stunning set of three body safety books covering everything from consent to tricky people to trusting your instincts. Soft, empowering, and trauma-informed.

10. Conversations with Kids: Body Safety Cards by Kristi McVee
    Not a book, but a tool you need. These cards make it easy to have age-appropriate chats about body safety, private parts, instincts, consent, and safe adults.
    👉 Grab your set here → Coversations with Kids Body Safety Cards
    👉 Want my ongoing help? Join the KidSafe Collective Membership for ongoing guidance, tools, and community.

You don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to do it consistently.

Books give you the words. You bring the love, the leadership, and the follow-through.

These stories aren’t just bedtime reads. They’re armour. They’re tools. They’re your way of saying, “I will not stay silent, and I will not let the world teach you what I should have.”

You don’t need to be an expert, just a parent who’s willing to learn, read, and lead.

Your kid is watching. Let them see what protection looks like.

My good friend (and former child abuse detective) Kayelene Kerr has an amazing online bookshop stocking almost all of these books at www.esafekids.com.au/shop. She has offered anyone 25% off postage when you use my code 'Kristi'.